Scaling the Energy of an Industry

At Beazer Homes’ Stonewood Estates, the first zero-energy ready neighborhood in the state, an exciting home tour in Durham, N.C., showcased attainable energy efficiency. 

Surrounded by manicured lawns and forestland, sparkling new two-story homes coupled with others under construction were toured by local politicians, media, and tradespeople who helped build them. 

According to Alyssa Thys with Beazer Homes, this was an opportunity to see how more people can achieve energy efficiency. “I witnessed a lot of aha-moments as subcontractors saw how their skills contributed and interacted with other trades,” Thys said.

Emphasizing continuing education for the national homebuilder, Beazer Homes is a progressive builder and is committed to building 100 percent under the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program by 2025.

A home certified under ZERH is 30 to 40 percent more efficient than the current code and meets ENERGY STAR and Indoor AirPLUS standards. Last year’s updated version of ZERH, a program closely aligned with Biden-Harris Administration goals, includes even more rigorous building envelope standards. All projects now must be wired for renewable energy systems, EV chargers, and electric heat pumps.

Meeting this ambitious commitment requires education at all levels, with Beazer Homes’ own staff and subcontractors, and energy raters, learning together.

Building Science, not Rocket Science

Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is one of the country’s largest homebuilders. They build in 13 states, offering primarily single-family homes and attached products, including duplexes—or duets—and townhomes. Beazer also develops 55-and-older communities called Gatherings, comprised of condominiums and single-family homes.

United under a shared vision, Beazer Homes’ operating divisions enjoy autonomy. In communities such as Raleigh-Durham, staff must build relationships with tradespeople who are willing and able to embrace new techniques and technologies.

“In almost all cases, we’re trying to use off-the-shelf technology, but it is likely more advanced than many of our trades have experienced or installed before,” said Brian Shanks, manager of National Accounts & Governmental Affairs at Beazer Homes.

These strategies require learning to do things differently. For example, HVAC units in well-sealed, super-insulated homes are smaller than those sized for conventional homes of similar square footage. Additionally, not all HVAC installers have experience installing super-efficient electric heat pumps. Though homes certified to ZERH v2 don’t require electric heat pumps, they must be wired to accommodate them.

Since 2013, the DOE ZERH program has accelerated the adoption of these types of cost-effective building technologies. More recently, a major focus has been to pair advancing these evolving technologies with a stronger, skilled workforce – a major focus of the Biden Administration’s goals.

“Part of what Beazer is doing in this space is contributing to workforce development,” said Sam Bowles, with the ZERH Program. “Because they are so big and have made this commitment on such a big level, it’s impossible to ignore.”

Megan Cordes, director of Sustainability and Building Science at Beazer Homes, is working with energy raters to convey the company’s strategies and goals for energy performance, saying that more of a partnership and holistic approach is required today.

“Historically, energy raters and the folks doing energy modeling have been pretty much the sole experts in their field,” Cordes said. “With the things that we’re doing, we need more of a partnership than we used to. Instead of just focusing on hitting a certain score or requirement in a specific municipality, we need a more holistic approach.”

Beazer was an early adopter of ENERGY STAR. Back in 2011, the company committed to building 100 percent of its homes under that program. Staying ahead of evolving energy codes prepares for a time when they may be required. They’re also helping train the workforce for more stringent codes. A ZERH home is progressive by today’s standards, but one day all new buildings may need to produce the energy they consume.

“We talk about the rising tide lifting all boats,” said Shanks. “We are setting up today’s workforce to build homes tomorrow.”

Selling High Performance

A promo video for Stonewood Estates takes viewers on a tour of a model home, showcasing amenities including golfing and restaurants. Reviews from Beazer Home buyers often mention the quality and positive experience, but fewer mention energy efficiency. When they do, it’s often indirect praise, folded into raves about comfort or low utility bills.

This ongoing focus on traditional home buying aspects makes marketing high-performance homes tricky. Sustainability and energy efficiency aren’t typically top of mind for customers, Thys said. A high-performance home isn’t obvious from the curb, so salespeople are tasked with conveying Beazer’s commitment to programs like ENERGY STAR and ZERH, two flagship programs that aim to achieve the current administration’s energy and climate goals while reducing energy costs and emissions.

“Educating staff on building science allows them to speak knowledgeably about features that set Beazer’s homes apart and connect meaningfully with customers,” Cordes said. This may mean focusing less on a HERS rating and more on comfort despite temperature fluctuations or explaining that a heat pump works best when the thermostat is left alone.

“We’re giving them that zero energy ready environment so that they can move right into their home, and then they can take it as far as they want to go,” Cordes said.

Customers often come to appreciate a home’s high performance after the fact, Thys said. 

Beazer Homes continually researches and adopts new technologies in insulation, smart systems, and energy use. By leading the way, Beazer Homes is creating a path for others to follow, benefiting the environment and providing homeowners with energy-efficient and comfortable living spaces.

Jaime Van Mourik, Associate AIA, LEED AP, is the director of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home Program